Archbishop Aquila Joins Board, Archbishop Rodi Retires as Chairman

Cross Catholic Outreach was honored to welcome Most Rev. Samuel J. Aquila to our board of directors earlier this year. His relationship with Cross Catholic Outreach dates back to 2008, when he endorsed our ministry during his time as the Bishop of Fargo, saying, “The service that Cross provides to the poor and needy throughout third-world countries is a great witness to Jesus Christ.” After he became the Archbishop of Denver, he again supported our mission, writing, “Your partnering and collaboration with many different organizations in many countries, from parishes and religious orders to the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, is an authentic and inspiring display of the unity of the Catholic Church and the real solidarity among her children.”

Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila
About Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila

It is with great pleasure that we welcome Archbishop Aquila as he joins his brother bishops in providing oversight and guidance to our ministry. Archbishop Aquila was born on September 24, 1950, in Burbank, California. He was ordained to the priesthood in Denver on June 5, 1976, and served the Archdiocese of Denver for 25 years before being appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Fargo, N.D., on June 12, 2001. On March 18, 2002, he became Bishop of Fargo upon the retirement of Bishop James Sullivan. On May 29, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him to be Archbishop of Denver, and he was installed as the eighth Archbishop of Denver on July 18, 2012.

Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi Retires as Chairman of Cross Catholic Outreach

For nearly a decade, Cross Catholic Outreach has been blessed with the leadership of Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi of the Archdiocese of Mobile. Joining our board in 2010, he assumed the role of chairman the following year and, since then, has led our Board of Catholic Bishops in overseeing the missionary outreach of Cross Catholic, as well as our achievement in obtaining official Vatican recognition.

As he steps down from our board, we remain forever grateful for his love and support throughout the years.